Ants in my Sonos PLAY:1

Hi Helen, please call us (toll free) when you are by your PLAY:1. When you call make sure to provide your reference number: 141110-001049.

I have also experienced this problem. I have Play:1 on a table inside by house near my patio door. This morning I noticed a trail of ants coming in my house and tracked them to the Play:1. I lifted the Play:1 and found a small ant colony complete with eggs under the speaker and then ants proceeded to come out of the speaker. Perhaps the device's electronic emissions are attracting the ants?

I doubt that it is the emissions. The player seems warm and safe to the queen.

Here is a discussion that may be relevant.

I don't know about these ants, but many ants don't like to cross vinegar trails. You can steer and discourage ants by drawing vinegar "lines" on the floor. Obviously, the lines need to be renewed (often), but it is a non toxic method of managing ants. Avoid using a toxic agent because you'll just trap dead bodies inside the PLAY:1.

What is their source of food? Can you remove that source or cut it off with a vinegar trail? Leave an escape path for the ants, hopefully they'll use this escape path to move the colony if the PLAY:1 situation becomes untenable due to lack of food -- or the environment degrades.

If you could convince the colony that an external threat exists, maybe they'll all mass outside of PLAY:1 and you can mechanically deal with them.

Another tactic might be to use a heat lamp to make them uncomfortable, encouraging them to move. I'm not suggesting that you literally cook the ants, just make them uncomfortable. I don't know what the magic temperature might be. PLAY:1 can safely operate in 104°F ambient spaces. Beyond that, power to PLAY:1 should be removed.

Some insects, such as house flies, are sensitive to air movement and they will move away from an area with air movement.

The inverse of the above heat encouragement would be a cold flash. If there is a nearby air conditioning outlet, perhaps it could be directed on to the PLAY:1 with a fan. Blasts of 50°F or so air, might be enough to encourage a move.

You'll know when you have discovered a successful strategy because the colony will start moving the eggs. Don't discourage the move -- unless they are moving to the TV.

Here is some additional information. Again, I don't recommend directly killing the pests. I want to encourage them to move out ot the PLAY:1 and take their trash with them.

I just had this same thing happen. Eggs and literally hundreds of ants. We took the speaker out - put it in a bag - and starved them for four days. Put it back in, and all was fine for a few days. Then tonight - more eggs and ants. Help sonos!

I have the exact same ant problem! An entire colony is living in my sonos. Hundreds are poring out along with their eggs. I moved it outside for the moment, but I don't know how to kill them. Please advise, Sonos!

This will solve your ant problem, it will kill them all. They will all be dead inside the speaker though. LOL

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Terro-2-oz-Liquid-Ant-Killer-II-T200-12/202534317

I am having the same issue! I've given up. Ready to throw it out. It's not worth the hassle of cleaning all these ants constantly! Any advice welcome please.

Read above you're reply. This will all ants including queen.

I will never look at my Play 1 the same way again.. x_x Scary stories!

Have you tried cinnamon? Ants don't like it... dust some in the speaker and leave it somewhere for the ants to get out. Then vacuum the speaker grill thoroughly.

If you can't entice them out, put it in a plastic bag and freeze it? This will kill ants and eggs as the cell structures will burst.